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I checked out the mentors sticky and interesting thoughts on neuro, but I was wondering if there are any practicing psychologists that have done something else that might offer some thoughts.
I am early 30's and in a very lucrative career. I have planned on giving that up - so $$ is not the issue. I have saved (not to be financially independent forever), but I have no debt, significant savings, and investments. So, I also sometimes want to get my captain's license, finish my dive instructor certification, use my foreign language skills, and go manage/own a dive resort or deliver boats to people in the carribean. Write a novel. Be a teacher. Join the peace corps. Getting a ph.d. is 4-5 years of my life. I guess at 21, when I graduated from college, I didn't think about that - I went to law school, but finished and was making a great salary at 24.
I read these stories and worry. Those who are a few years away from applying are optimistic. Those who are applying are panicked. Those who have been in for a while seem a little cynical. Not universally. Maybe those who have been in have better things to do then post on this board - one of which may be that they enjoy their jobs and have busy and fulfilling lives.
If you don't want to primarily be a researcher and you don't want to spend a gazillion dollars on a Psy.D. and you want to make a difference in the lives of people with severe mental disorders such as BPD, and maybe help others with more tame issues - what do you do? The answer I usually get is go get a master's or an MSW, but then with the master's you are quite limited for other things. The more popular answer is PsyD - the underlying for which, just fundamentally bothers me as it seems that schools like Stanford are just doing what law schools do - taking an education that shouldn't be that expensive (based on materials, salaries, etc.) and just making it a cash cow - and at least law school professors at major law schools make $100K because they can make closer to $1M with that expertise in the private sector)
I applied and was accepted to my top choice of PhD programs and turned it down in 2005. I noticed in the interview I wasn't as panicked or worried as those around me. Despite the concern on this board about age, everyone there thought I was same age as them - weekly facials help. 🙂 But, man, I felt relaxed and at ease - if they wanted me, they did - if not, it's not meant to be. And even when it happened - I ultimately couldn't live in that place for that long. My eyes glazed over at alot of the research projects except outcome research.
I am rambling now - I just wish that I could find someone who would chat with me about this who has been there done that and help me see if this is something that I should let die or continue to pursue albeit in a different way.
I am early 30's and in a very lucrative career. I have planned on giving that up - so $$ is not the issue. I have saved (not to be financially independent forever), but I have no debt, significant savings, and investments. So, I also sometimes want to get my captain's license, finish my dive instructor certification, use my foreign language skills, and go manage/own a dive resort or deliver boats to people in the carribean. Write a novel. Be a teacher. Join the peace corps. Getting a ph.d. is 4-5 years of my life. I guess at 21, when I graduated from college, I didn't think about that - I went to law school, but finished and was making a great salary at 24.
I read these stories and worry. Those who are a few years away from applying are optimistic. Those who are applying are panicked. Those who have been in for a while seem a little cynical. Not universally. Maybe those who have been in have better things to do then post on this board - one of which may be that they enjoy their jobs and have busy and fulfilling lives.
If you don't want to primarily be a researcher and you don't want to spend a gazillion dollars on a Psy.D. and you want to make a difference in the lives of people with severe mental disorders such as BPD, and maybe help others with more tame issues - what do you do? The answer I usually get is go get a master's or an MSW, but then with the master's you are quite limited for other things. The more popular answer is PsyD - the underlying for which, just fundamentally bothers me as it seems that schools like Stanford are just doing what law schools do - taking an education that shouldn't be that expensive (based on materials, salaries, etc.) and just making it a cash cow - and at least law school professors at major law schools make $100K because they can make closer to $1M with that expertise in the private sector)
I applied and was accepted to my top choice of PhD programs and turned it down in 2005. I noticed in the interview I wasn't as panicked or worried as those around me. Despite the concern on this board about age, everyone there thought I was same age as them - weekly facials help. 🙂 But, man, I felt relaxed and at ease - if they wanted me, they did - if not, it's not meant to be. And even when it happened - I ultimately couldn't live in that place for that long. My eyes glazed over at alot of the research projects except outcome research.
I am rambling now - I just wish that I could find someone who would chat with me about this who has been there done that and help me see if this is something that I should let die or continue to pursue albeit in a different way.
